With the August election approaching, I want to take a minute and go through the two constitutional amendments that have been put on the August ballot. While voters may only vote for nominees on the party ballot they requested, all Missourians, regardless of party, are afforded the ability to vote on any and all proposed amendments to our state constitution.

Amendment 1, previously known as Senate Joint Resolution 26, is the first constitutional amendment voters will see on the August ballot.

If approved by the voters of this state, it would allow the General Assembly to provide a property tax exemption to child care providers. I am in favor of this amendment and voted to send it to the ballot. I am hopeful the voters of this state will join me in the passage of this amendment so child care facilities can put more money towards hiring quality employees and providing the best care for the children of Missouri.

Right now, our state is facing a childcare crisis; this is especially acute in our rural areas. We want people working, and I want all Missourians to have a good paying job, but one impediment to this is the inability of many families to find child care during the day for their below-school-age children. Some parents are lucky enough to live near family that can help take care of their children, but many are not as fortunate. Anyone who has tried to get a child into a day care facility knows the frustration and stress of being wait-listed for an open spot and hoping it is a good fit for their child.

Part of the problem with the childcare industry is it operates on such close margins. These places provide care for our children and, by necessity, often try to keep prices as affordable as possible.  Therefore, if we can eliminate the property taxes these facilities face, their margins could improve.

The hope is this will lead to them being able to care for more children.  While eliminating property taxes for childcare facilities is not a silver bullet that can magically solve the childcare crisis in Missouri, I believe it will help. Right now, we should be utilizing all options to help provide avenues for parents who work so their children can receive quality care. Amendment 1 is a strong step forward to help the childcare crisis in Missouri, and I hope you all will join me in voting yes. Amendment 4 would allow the General Assembly to increase the mandated minimum funding level for any police force established by a state board of police commissioners before 2027. The only such police force that qualifies under this definition is the Kansas City Police Department. Basically, Amendment 4 would allow the General Assembly to tell Kansas City that it must increase its funding of the Kansas City Police Department.

Kansas City is the only place in Missouri where the police department is controlled by a state appointed police board. This is a setup that has prevailed in Kansas City for nearly 100 years. This system was put in place to limit corruption in the police department.

To this date this situation has been largely supported by the people of Kansas City, and this unique situation gives the state a large voice in the policing of Kansas City. This amendment is the final piece of that setup and will allow the General Assembly to increase the mandated minimum amount of funding the Kansas City Police receive every year to do their job.

I am in support of this amendment. There is no question that Missouri, and the nation, is grappling with an increase in crime. This has been especially true in major urban areas, and I am always in favor of measures that support law enforcement. To be very clear, I think we need more police on our streets, not fewer. I think our police and sheriffs’ departments are doing an amazing job with the resources they have, but I believe that every community in our state would be better served with more quality trained and equipped law enforcement officers working to protect and serve.

Kansas City is a crucial part of our state. It is one of our gateway cities, along with St. Louis, for people and businesses who come to Missouri. I very much believe if St. Louis and Kansas City are successful, safe and prosperous cities it will only benefit those of us who live in the rural and outstate portions of Missouri. To ensure Kansas City is successful, it needs a strong and robust police department that can protect its citizens and the people who visit that city. Amendment 4 will ensure the Kansas City Police Department has the resources it needs to fulfill its duty to keep their city safe. Please join me in voting in favor of Amendment 4 in August.

Please feel free to contact my office at 573-751-2076. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Bernskoetter.